St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-10-07
POWDERLY'S REPORT.
Some Extracts From This Impor-
tant Document on Leading Sub
iaotS - . -5~+-~

JectS. g..
~ General Master Workman POwderly's
address took up the greater part of the
afternoon session and occupied three
hours in reading. The document is in
pamphlet form of sixty pages and is
mastery effort, throwing light upon
great many subjects that have per-
picked the order and reading public for
the past year. His explanation in
relation to his attitude on an
archy produced profound sensa-
ton. The Home club received
a fair share of attention and John Nor
riSon and others in New York will learn
things of interest to them. For the
first time Mr.. Powderly explains at
length the plot to take his life in New
York. This occurred when he was rid
ing on ferry boat from New York to
Hob0ken. He stood near the railing
when man approached and warned
him to stand back from the railing, and
thus saved him from being pushed
overheard by two men who approached
for that evident purpose. Once since
an attempt was made to shove him from
the platform of a train. Concerning
the Home club and his reputed connec-
ton with it he says:
Whatever others may know of the Home
club certainly know nothing more than
have detailed in this report l have not
acted with it. Have not, 10 any particular
been under its influence. l know of no act
in which it has had an influence. / do not
approve of it or its measures, SO far as known
to me. 1 believe that the formation of
clques, rings and cabals inside of this order
is criminal, and in opposition to the letter
and spirit of the institution: and believing
would nOSSIhlp ms Oft har
to have a voice or influence in such a
move, or to allow it to in any Way
exert an influence over me. To those
who have charged me with being under
If the idea was to have me denounce the aft
fair though the press it failed. fight my
battles on the inside; fighting my battles on
the inside am ready to meet nv accusers
here on the floor of this general assembly,
and prove that every charge made against
me in connection with the Home club is UNI
true. ask of those who have made the
charges of the past year to produce them
order deal with the matter.
THE ORDER AND ANARCHY.
The relation of the order to anarchy has
taken up so much space in the public eve
and has been the subject of so much discus
sion III the assemblies of some large cities,
that 1t is proper to speak of it here and re-
port to you my doings in connection there
with. Let me say here that / have never, as
has been so often asserted i'll the press of the
land, COMPOUNDED socialism with anarchy
draw wide line of distinction between the
two, as every reading, thinking man must
Whenever have had occasion to say any,
thing concerning anarchy 1t has been re-
ported that aSSailed socialism. Ihaye said
very little concerning either one except from
the public platform, and to mymind altogether
too much prominence has been given to the
subject by the press. Within the order not
enough of interest has been awakened until
lately regarding the matter. 1t was taken for
granted that the order, being so large and in
fluential, could afford to ignore the question:
and could also afford to put up with the pres
ence of few of the rankest Kind of anarch-
lists. 1 have thought otherwise; and because
/ have taken issue with these men in their
efforts to make the order of the knights of
Labor subordinate to the violent element
known as the anarchist element have been
taken to task more than once. Some of our
thing, have said that .Powderly is only
Speaking for himself when he assails the
anarchist" l will lay the case before this
general assembly, and after 1 have done SO
will ask of this body to say whether was
right or not. will also ask of the general
assembly TO define the position of the order
on the attempts that have been made to pros
titute it to such base uses rs the anarchists
would put it.
1 have never publicly uttered a sentiment
regarding the course of the seven men who
are condemned to death in Chicago This is
opinion, If these men did not have a fair
trial, such as is guaranteed every man in the
United States, then they should be granted
new trial. If they have not been found guilty
of murder they should not be hanged If
they are to be hanged for the actions of
others IL is not just. The man who threw the
boom in Chicago should be hanged and his
accomplices should receive the punishment
allotted to such offences by the laws of the
state of Illinois Before the public have
never said word concerning these men. /
have never felt called upon to say anything,
for 1t is none of my business; yet some Of
their friends have put words of condemna-
ton in my mouth In order to have me say
something in their favor. I allowed 1t to go.
as the many false reports concerning me